Is Magomed Ankalaev Related to Khabib Nurmagomedov?

There seems to be something in the region of Dagestan that produces elite-level fighters in combat sports. More importantly, the Russian republic is the home of many former and current UFC fighters, including the likes of lightweight champion and GOAT contender, Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, just to name a few. As we approach UFC 313 this weekend, there’s a light heavyweight Dagestani native in focus – Magomed Ankalaev.

Makhachev has spoken about the tough life in the Russian province involving a lot of physical labor, as well as wrestling being the primary sport that children take up for the tough and resilient people there. And when it comes to fighting, besides Khabib, someone about whom Makhachev has talked about is Magomed Ankalaev. This may raise the question in some people’s minds- is he related to Khabib Nurmagomedov? Let’s find out.

Are Magomed Ankalaev and Khabib related?

No. Magomed Ankalaev is not related to Khabib Nurmagomedov. Both are from Dagestan, and Ankalaev fights out of Makhachkala, the same place Khabib’s protege and teammate Islam Makhachev fights out of. Khabib and Ankalaev, however, do belong to the same Avar ethnic group. Interestingly, Khabib also has an older brother who is named Magomed.

So, they do share their ethnicity and province of origin but are not related through family and blood to each other. While Khabib trained at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California, Ankalaev belongs to the Gorets gym based out of his native Dagestan. Both are, however, devout Sunni Muslims. Anaklaev, meanwhile, graduated from the sports faculty at the Dagestan State University.

It was at the university that he began training in Greco-Roman wrestling. He subsequently moved on to combat sambo and attained the titles of Master of Sport in fight sambo and International Master of Sport in amateur MMA. Meanwhile, you may need to know that Anakalaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov do have some connection with each other.

The connection between Khabib and Magomed Ankalaev

While they don’t train together, Khabib Nurmagomedov, his team, and Magomed Ankalaev are managed by the same person – Ali Abdelaziz. The manager in question has many fighters in multiple promotions in his list and is known to be very close to fighters from Russia. Furthermore, Anaklaev claims that Abdelaziz is a great host, who cooks good food and makes him feel like at home when he’s in the United States.

“In Vegas, at Ali’s [house] I feel like I’m back home. He always invites us, cooks delicious meat,” Magomed Ankalaev stated during an episode of the UFC 313 Embedded: Vlog Series. “We get together so it reminds me of Dagestan lifestyle.” Well, it’s no wonder that feeling at home has helped him focus on his fights and forge a spectacular record of 20-1-1.

Well, it comes down to this weekend at the T-Mobile Arena. Fighting during Ramadan may not have been the most ideal scenario for Magomed Ankalaev, but that’s what Dana White has planned out and he has to oblige. But can he take the crown off Alex Pereira? That remains to be seen. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.